National Trust puts rare historic Iron Bridge documents on display

A series of rare documents relating to the creation of Shropshire’s world-famous Iron Bridge, have gone on display.

The precious and revealing papers went on show at the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron today - July 15, and will be available to view for two weeks.

Due to their fragile condition, the three documents cannot be permanently displayed.

The value of the documents was confirmed when UNESCO added them to the ‘Memory of the World Register’ after were submitted for inclusion by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in 2024.

The records relate to the creation of the landmark Iron Bridge, which spans the River Severn and sits at the heart of the Ironbridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Local ironmaster Abraham Darby III was commissioned to build the bridge to a design by Thomas Farnolls Pritchard.

Completed in 1779, the Iron Bridge was the first structure of its kind in the world, and its creation marked a turning point in engineering and construction, demonstrating the potential of cast iron on an unprecedented scale.

The now world-famous bridge gave its name to the town of Ironbridge and the surrounding gorge, widely regarded as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

The papers include Abraham Darby III’s original cost estimate for the bridge from September 1775.

Prepared with architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard the document details the projected cost of constructing the bridge, associated roadworks, and financing arrangements including loan interest.

Another on display is Abraham Darby III’s Ledger for 1771-1781, covering a variety of his business activities, including the building of the Iron Bridge and documenting the crucial period up to and including the completion of the bridge.

The final document is Abraham Darby III’s personal share certificate, dated October 20, 1777.

The National Trust took over the running of the Ironbridge museums earlier this year and said it was thrilled to be able to share the papers.

Sarah Roberts, archivist for the National Trust at Ironbridge Gorge, said: “We are delighted that these documents have been recognised by UNESCO in this way.

“This collection of documents, which are part of a much larger archive, shines a spotlight on the vision, and the desire to innovate, shared by the Ironmaster Abraham Darby III and the Architect Thomas Farnolls Pritchard.

“Their revolutionary ideas, combined with their ambition and determination, were to prove truly world changing.

“Unusually, these documents are still retained in the place where they were produced almost exactly 250 years ago, and the archive itself is recognised as an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site within which it sits.

“As we prepare to celebrate the Quarter Millennial of the original Iron Bridge in 2029, we have every confidence that this acknowledgement of the significance of the archive will inspire further research into the incredible innovations, people, and events associated with the Ironbridge Gorge.”